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Somebody Loves You - August 21, 2016

2016Aug 21

COMMENTS

SUNDAY 21 August, 2016

Returning the Favor

And the king said to Barzillai, “Come across with me, and I will provide for you while you are with me in Jerusalem.” - >2 Samuel 19:33

Barzillai, had assisted David financially in a very difficult time and the king had it in his heart, to return the favor. David naturally wanted to repay the kindness––as it was now in his power to do so. Barzillai assured him that it was entirely unnecessary––he did not have to repay him anything. He knew the integrity of the king’s heart and understood his thinking: “You did this act of kindness towards me and now I want to do this for you.”

It is the same with you and me, when someone shows kindness by supplying a desperate need in our lives, we want to somehow return the blessing; especially when we have the available means. However, we must understand what Jesus taught us about giving and receiving:

…if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. …do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High - (Luke 6:34-35).

God’s thinking is often so very opposite to ours (Isaiah 55:8). Usually when we lend to others, we keep a mental account. We expect what we have lent returned. As Christians, we must lend without expecting anything in return, we must become what God requires. Paul reminded the believers: Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35).

As a Christian, do you keep financial tabs on others? Those who you think owe you something back for your acts of kindness towards them?